Frequently Asked Questions

What is an ETF?

Exchange Traded Fund.  An ETF is a fund that tracks an index, commodity, or basket of assets and is traded like a stock.  ETFs are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold anytime during the trading day(unlike most mutual funds).  ETFs are more tax efficient than normal mutual funds and since they track indexes, they have very low operating and transaction costs.  There are no sales loads or minimums required when purchasing an ETF.

How do I start?

You must register to take the portfolio questionnaire.  Once you receive your username and password via e-mail, you can sign in and fill out the questionnaire.  After submitting your portfolio questionnaire, you can review the results free of charge.  Your answers on the questionnaire will determine the appropriate portfolio for your risk profile and time horizon.  To view the portfolio summary, click on investment portfolios in the menu bar above.  In order to see the positions in the portfolio and other four portfolios, you must submit your payment to Mueller Asset Management (MAM).

How do I submit my payment?

Once you click on the recommended portfolio for review, a pay now button will appear.  Click the PayPal (a secure payment platform) link for step by step payment instructions.  If you wish to pay by check, please email info@discountinvestmentadvisor.com for further instructions.

I can see my new portfolio, now what do I do?

This is the fun part.  You will want to set up an account with an online discount brokerage or use your current broker.  We suggest a well known online discount broker such as Scottrade, TD Ameritrade or E*Trade.  Discount brokers offer commissions at substantial discounts to full service brokers.  After you choose a broker, visit their website for step by step instructions on establishing an account.

I am set up with a discount broker, now what do I do?

Now that you have an account with a broker you can submit your trades.  Go to our portfolio page and select your recommended portfolio.  Enter the total amount of available funds in the appropriate box.  The green column will then detail the amount of shares to buy in each position.  In order to purchase an ETF through your brokerage account, you must know the ETFs ticker(three or four letters for the name of the ETF) and the amount of shares. The ticker is to the left of the green column.  To properly set up the portfolio, you must purchase the recommended positions and the share amounts listed. Please note that ETFs trade like stocks and share prices will fluctuate throughout the business day.

I have made my trades and my portfolio is set up, now what?

Sit back and relax.  Every three months, MAM will e-mail you a form to fill out. You will need to complete the form and submit it to MAM along with the $30 quarterly fee.  When this payment is received, you will receive the MAM quarterly newsletter and a notification of all changes needed to rebalance your portfolio.

What happens if I don't pay every quarter?

If payment isn't received, you will no longer have access to the MAM portfolios and you will not be provided with the appropriate trades for rebalancing.  Rebalancing is a very important factor for maintaining your proper risk profile.  If you wish to start up payments at a later date, you will then be eligible for access to the MAM portfolios and the MAM rebalancing service.

Can I schedule automatic payments from my credit card?

Yes, PayPal offers this feature.  You can set up your account to be automatically debited every three months.